This season, the Vassar men’s soccer team has emerged as a national contender, even soaring to a top ten ranking from the United Soccer Coach’s poll. But for this squad, success is not defined by what the pundits think or how the rankings end up; Instead, it is about unity and putting in the work to get better as a group every single day. Third-year coach Jonathan Hood has described his team’s resilient work ethic as one of their keys to success this year, noting that his team’s commitment, trust and belief off the field has directly translated to positive results on the pitch.
There have been many positive results thus far. To start the year, Vassar has outscored opponents 28-13, including crucial wins against Hobart and William Smith Colleges and Union College. To start Liberty League play, the Brewers outscored opponents 8-0 in their first four games. Playing stellar and gritty defense, Vassar has allowed just one opponent goal-per-game on 10 shots-per-game. On offense, dominating possession and generating easy chances has earned Vassar eight Liberty League weekly honors. Midfielder Jared Fiske ’26 has been a contributing and steady force to the Brewers success, earning Liberty League offensive performer of the week himself twice already this season. With five goals and three assists on the season, Fiske credits his success on the pitch to his teammates, noting, “I have been fortunate to be on the receiving end of some of these amazing plays, but I believe it is the style of soccer that we are playing that has led to my individual success, in addition to the team’s.” Fiske, however, is not focused on collecting individual accolades. Rather, his eyes are set on the Liberty League and the NCAA tournament.
Embodying a true team-first attitude, Fiske is leading by example for his younger teammates, as he knows what it takes to get to the NCAA tournament. In Fiske’s first year in Poughkeepsie, the Brewers made the NCAA tournament for the fifth time in program history and lost in a heartbreaking penalty shootout in the second round. For Fiske and other upperclassmen, the 2022 season was an unforgettable journey with invaluable lessons about competing at the highest level. According to Fiske, it was an inspirational yet humbling experience. “2022 was a really fun year. Making it to the NCAA tournament was extremely exciting,” he recalled. “But we’ve never won a Liberty League championship or a Liberty League playoff game.”
This taste of the postseason has left a lasting impact on the Vassar side. For the now-upperclassmen, there is a newfound hunger and focus to return to the postseason. Hood reflected on how the tournament exposure in 2022 “shaped their [the current juniors and seniors] desire for competing at the national level.” This big game familiarity has strengthened the team’s resilience in high-pressure situations and brought the group together. For Vassar, the group is everything. To hold possession and play the style of soccer that the Brewers want, everyone needs to be all in. The Brewers have bought in. While the Brewers have suffered some losses this season, the group has remained steadfast in their mission. Hood has made it clear: “The ability to have unwavering commitment, trust and belief within the team is essential.”
This year has been turbulent for the squad, requiring the very “commitment, trust and belief” that Hood alluded to. The Brewers have dropped just three games this season but, more impressively, have come back from each game with a big win in the next, a reflection of their trust in the process.
The Brewers do not have the luxury of bounce-back wins in the postseason. Every game is a must-win from here on out. With just two regular season games to go, the squad sits second in the Liberty League Standings with a playoff berth in sight. The opportunity to make program history and fight for a Liberty League title will not be taken lightly. The Brewers’ combination of battle-tested veterans and eager underclassmen make it easy to look for the programs first Liberty League tournament win under Coach Hood. The gaffer has recognized that being present is critical, saying, “The goal for me is to stay in the moment and keep getting better as a team.” Nevertheless, the Brewers have their work cut out for them with two Liberty League matchups left on the slate. Vassar needs a strong finish to the regular season if they want to secure home field advantage and the coveted first round bye. As the calendar flips to November, the pressure of each game rises, but this Brewers squad, by standing on the shoulders of previous Vassar sides and trusting each other, is ready to take on anything. Come on you Brewers!
